Respirator masks recently became the most requested item in regard to healthcare protection during the corona pandemic. In order to relieve this shortage in doctor’s offices, hospitals and nursing homes, Schill+Seilacher "Struktol“ GmbH used their good business contacts to China to acquire a large number of respirator masks at their own expenses.

Recently, the worldwide operating company handed over 50,000 masks to Cornelia Prüfer-Storcks, Head of Hamburg Health Authorities, as a donation to the city of Hamburg. Immediately after receipt, the masks have been provided to the nursing homes, hospitals and further social and medical institutions in Hamburg.

 "With billions of Euros in government support for German companies, we consider it our obligation using our possibilities and contacts, to help where possible“, says Dr. Ruediger Ackermann, CEO of the Schill+Seilacher "Struktol“ GmbH. "Due to excellent business relations to China existing since decades, we were able to seize the opportunity to order respirator masks directly.“

The people in charge at Schill+Seilacher "Struktol“ GmbH had ordered the masks beginning of April with the assistance of the Chinese contacts. The precious goods were then sent by airfreight (and therefore theft-proofed) directly to Germany and immediately transported by truck to Hamburg. "We are glad that our medium-sized enterprise is able to help and we hope that we encouraged other companies to follow our example “, stated Dr. Ackermann.

“Before handing over the masks in Hamburg, we also donated 50,000 masks to the free state of Saxony in Pirna. Further 20,000 masks were handed over to the Charité in Berlin and additionally 20,000 respirator masks will be passed on to our third location in Böblingen.

The chemical company Schill+Seilacher "Struktol“ GmbH based in Hamburg-Billbrook produces antifoams, flame retardants, silicones, release agents, rubber and latex additives as well as different specialty chemicals. About 300 employees are currently working in this plant; quite a number of them are working from their home-office.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced a financial assistance scheme for SC Community rubber growers to support the purchase of rubber rollers for sheet processing in 2025. Eligible applicants can receive a subsidy of INR 40,000 or 80percent of the machine's cost, whichever amount is lower.

Interested growers must submit their applications online via the 'ServicePlus' portal on the Rubber Board's website by 31 October 2025. All required documents should be uploaded with the application. For further details, individuals can contact Rubber Board Regional Offices, Field Stations or the Board's Call Centre.

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Sailun Group has achieved a significant sustainability milestone, earning an ‘A’ rating from Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) in its latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) evaluation. This prestigious upgrade from a ‘BB’ rating makes Sailun the first tyre manufacturer in China to receive this high grade from the globally recognised index provider.

The MSCI ESG assessment is a comprehensive international framework that analyses corporate performance across environmental impact, social responsibility and governance standards. It is a critical tool used by institutional investors worldwide to guide decision-making.

This upgraded rating signifies strong international acknowledgment of Sailun's dedicated efforts in key areas, including product quality and safety, robust corporate governance, progressive employee management and its environmental initiatives. This achievement not only underscores Sailun Group's commitment to sustainable operations but also solidifies its position as a global leader with influential ESG practices.

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Tirupati Tyres Ltd reported a surge in annual profit for the year ended March 2025 and said it plans to diversify into new businesses, including gold mining, real estate and agriculture, as part of its expansion strategy.

The Mumbai-based company said profit after tax jumped to INR 9.96 million in fiscal 2025 from INR 884,000 a year earlier, on total income of INR 118.1 million compared with 4.1 million rupees.

“The company has diversified its scope of operations and altered its main objects to include new lines of business, inter alia, gold mining, real estate, and agriculture,” the board said in its annual report. It added that steps were being initiated to change the company’s name to reflect its broadened focus.

“In line with this strategic shift and to ensure that the corporate identity of the company is aligned with its broadened business focus and long term vision, the company now intends to change its name to more appropriately reflect its revised business activities and future direction. Necessary steps in this regard are being initiated in compliance with applicable laws and regulations,” said the company.

The board also sought shareholder approval to raise the ceiling for loans, guarantees and investments in securities to as much as INR 5 billion, and to allow foreign portfolio investors to own up to 49 percent of its equity capital.

Tirupati Tyres said the move was aimed at strengthening its capital structure and funding long-term strategic growth. A rights issue was proposed earlier in the year but was later withdrawn due to a lack of subscription.

The company has not declared a dividend for the year, citing the need to conserve cash to support expansion.

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Indian tyre retreader unveils automation strategy, launches new products despite 50% profit drop

Indian tyre retreading company Indag Rubber Limited is doubling down on digital transformation and research investments as it seeks to counter margin pressure from soaring raw material costs that halve annual profits.

The Delhi-based firm reported a profit after tax of INR 84.1 million for fiscal 2025, down 49.8 percent from INR 167.5 million, but outlined ambitious expansion plans centred on automation and product innovation during its annual general meeting.

“We are indeed in the era of digitalisation, automation, and AI,” Vijay Shrinivas, CEO of the company, said, announcing a complete automation of the mixing process at its Himachal Pradesh plant to eliminate human intervention and enhance consistency.

The company has invested in a state-of-the-art R&D facility established after the COVID period, which has already yielded results with the launch of Win Master, a new retreading product unveiled at Bharat Mobility in January 2025.

“This product is a direct outcome of our R&D initiatives and offers exceptional performance—delivering approximately 80 percent to 90 percent of the life of a new tyre,” the CEO said, adding its effectiveness had been demonstrated across several fleet operators.

Digital Infrastructure Overhaul

Indag has undertaken a comprehensive digital transformation over the past three years, transitioning from traditional ERP systems to SAP while implementing Salesforce.com for customer relationship management and automated compliance tools.

The company is targeting a 100 percent paperless environment at its plant level. It has partnered with e-Fleets to monitor real-time performance of approximately 6,000 tyres used by large fleet customers, generating valuable cost-per-kilometre data.

“This initiative has enabled Indag to collect valuable data on tyre performance... allowing the Company to effectively demonstrate the benefits of retreading to fleet owners and operators,” the company said.

Network Expansion Strategy

The company is aggressively expanding its retreader network across India, having connected with over 3,000 retreaders under loyalty programmes compared to its previous base. It operates 15 depots nationwide with plans to enhance reach and penetration further.

“Our company’s primary objective is to engage with these operators, educate them on cost-saving opportunities and demonstrate measurable benefits,” the CEO explained, targeting large fleet owners facing rising fuel, toll and operational costs.

Operational Excellence Drive

Beyond digitisation, Indag has improved operational efficiency by reducing its working capital cycle from 120 days to 70 days over five years, significantly better than the industry average of 100-110 days. The company achieved this through strict forecasting, improved vendor negotiations and reducing Days Sales Outstanding from 70 to 35 days.

Market Positioning

The investment strategy comes as India’s fragmented retreading industry faces consolidation pressure. About 11 million tyres are retreaded annually by over 10,000 retreaders, down from 13,000 previously, compared to the United States where just 650 retreaders process 16 million tyres.

“GST and demonetisation have really helped our industry to consolidate and formalise,” the CEO said, noting customers increasingly demand formal invoicing and standardised practices.

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